“B” is for Barrett, James Lee (1929-1989). Screenwriter. Once described as the most prolific writer-producer in Hollywood, Barrett grew up in Anderson. After a stint in the Marine Corps, he moved to New York City and began writing material for the big New York television market: Playhouse 90, Kraft Theatre, and Armstrong Circle Theatre. In 1957 Barrett moved to California where for the next thirty years he wrote the scripts for some of Hollywood’s most successful films and television productions. Among his most popular films were The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Green Berets, Smokey and the Bandit, and Shenandoah. Barrett’s musical book for the stage version of Shenandoah won him a Tony Award. James Lee Barrett developed In the Heat of the Night for television and was the originator of the popular series Our House.
“B” is for Barrett, James Lee (1929-1989)
